Augmental has developed Mouthpad, a wireless computer interface that lets users control digital devices with their tongue and head movements. Designed primarily with people with physical disabilities in mind, the device functions much like a touchpad worn inside the mouth. After years of development and testing, Mouthpad became commercially available to the public in July 2026, tells IEEE Spectrum.
Mouthpad incorporates a touch-sensitive surface positioned against the roof of the mouth. A barometer detects sipping gestures and tongue presses, while an accelerometer and gyroscope track head movements. Users can therefore combine different actions, such as moving a cursor with their head and clicking with their tongue. The removable, rechargeable device connects through Bluetooth and works with devices that accept a Bluetooth mouse.
Customization is central to the design. Each Mouthpad must be fitted to the user because mouth shapes and sizes vary considerably. Augmental also allows users to configure inputs according to their physical abilities and preferences. The hardware had to be thin enough to permit normal speech while remaining flexible and durable in the challenging environment inside the mouth. The company expects battery cycles to limit the device’s useful life to at least two years.
Mouthpad costs $1,400, excluding additional dental fitting expenses, and is not marketed as a medical device. Beyond computers and smartphones, the technology could potentially control tablets, powered wheelchairs, and other connected equipment. Augmental also sees possibilities in gaming, occupational safety, and scientific research.
The company is exploring silent communication as another long-term application. Its Vox necklace microphone already detects low-volume speech, while future Mouthpad versions could track more of the tongue to interpret speech movements without audible words. Such capabilities could expand the technology from computer control into communication, rehabilitation, and speech research, giving tongue-based interfaces a broader role in accessible human-computer interaction.
